Charging case for earbuds

ABSTRACT

A charging case having one or more charging docks for charging one or more earbuds. The charging case can further have UV LEDs for automatically sterilizing the earbuds while charging.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of a U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 17/223,338 filed on Apr. 6, 2021, which claims priority to aU.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/972,783, filed Feb. 11,2020, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a charging case for wireless earbuds,and more particularly, the present invention relates to a charging casethat also sterilizes the wireless earbuds and an inner volume of thecharging.

BACKGROUND

Wireless earbuds and charging cases of charging the wireless earbuds areknown in the art. Such charging cases can be wired or wireless. Thecharging cases have an inbuilt battery for charging the earbuds, whereina charging case itself also has to be charged. The charging casesgenerally have docks that can safely hold the earbuds and providecharging.

Earbuds are generally frequently touched by hands. Moreover, the earbudsmay also be shared with another person. This makes the earbuds a carrierfor microorganisms, and in particular a carrier of pathogenicmicroorganisms. Moreover, the soft cushion of the earbuds can easilyharbor microorganisms and hasten their multiplication. A person touchingthe earbud may transfer the microbes from their hands to the earbudswhich can then become a carrier for that microbe. Such microbes,including, fungi can cause ear infections as well.

Thus, a desire is there for a solution to the aforesaid problems. Adesire is there for a device to sterilize the earbuds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodimentsof the present invention in order to provide a basic understanding ofsuch embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of allcontemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key orcritical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any orall embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one ormore embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented later.

The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to acharging case for earbuds that can sterilize the ear buds.

It is another object of the present invention that the charging casepromotes health and hygiene.

It is still another object of the present invention that the chargingcase can prioritize between the charging and sterilization.

It is yet another object of the present invention that the charging caseis economical to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention that the charging caseis compact and light in weight.

It is an additional object of the present invention that the chargingcase is portable.

In one aspect, disclosed is a charging case having one or more chargingdocks for charging the earbuds. The charging case can further have UVLEDs for automatically sterilizing the earbuds while charging.

These and other objects and advantages of the embodiments herein and thesummary will become readily apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part ofthe specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention.Together with the description, the figures further explain theprinciples of the present invention and to enable a person skilled inthe relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a charging case for earbuds having UV LEDs, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of thecharging case, according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forthherein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in alimiting sense.

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as“exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred oradvantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments ofthe present invention” does not require that all embodiments of theinvention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode ofoperation.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments ofthe invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the”are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that theterms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, whenused herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The following detailed description includes the best currentlycontemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of theinvention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but ismade merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles ofthe invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined bythe allowed claims of any resulting patent.

Disclosed is a charging case for charging the earbuds that have UV LEDsfor generating ultraviolet radiations in the far UV-C region toirradiating the inner volume of the charging case. The ultravioletradiation can be within the UV-C range that is known to havedisinfecting or microbiocidal action. It is to be understood that anyradiations known for use in sterilization can be used, without departingfrom the scope of the present invention. The UV LEDs can be lit for apredefined duration which is at least the duration the microorganismshave to exposed to reduce the microbial load by at least 99.9 percent.

Referring to FIG. 1 which shows an exemplary embodiment of the chargingcase 100 having a box body 110 and a cover 120, the cover 120 coupled tothe box body 110 through a hinge joint. The box body 110 having twocharging docks 130 to which the earbuds can be mounted for charging.Besides the charging docks can be seen three UV LEDs 135 positioned toirradiate the docked earbuds. It is to be understood that that theposition of the earbuds and UV LED's and their location can be variedbased on the shape and size of the charging case.

The cover having a hook 140 that can be engaged to lock member 150. Thecharging case 100 can have a sensor that detects the presence of earbudsin the charging docks 130. The charging case can also have a sensor thatcan detect the closing and opening of cover 120. The charging case canhave a control unit, as shown in FIG. 2 . The control unit 210 can beoperably connected to the charging circuitry 220, sensors 240, timingcircuitry 260, and UV LEDs 250. The charging circuitry can provide forthe charging of the earbuds. Moreover, the charging circuitry 220 can beregulated by the control unit 210. The components of the charging caseincluding the control unit can be powered by the power supply 230.

The power supply 230 can be a rechargeable battery, such as aLithium-ion battery. The battery of the charging case 100 can be poweredthrough a wired connection with a wall charger. A suitable charginginterface, such as a USB port or USB-C Type port or any other knowninput/out port (not shown) can be provided for connecting to a wiredcharger, this same interface can used to supply the power to the batteryof the case and also draw the power from battery of the case to chargeexternal devices. Alternately, the disclosed charging case can also becharged wirelessly. It is to be understood that the charging case caninclude both the option of wired and wireless charging of the battery ofthe charging case. The control unit can regulate the power supply todifferent components of the charging case.

The charging case 100 can have one or more UV LEDs 135 for irradiatingthe inner volume of the charging case 100. The inner surface of thecharging case can have a reflective coating to enhance the sterilizingefficiency of the UV radiations. The UV radiations can sterilize theearbuds placed in the charging case 100. The control unit can sense theplacing of the earbuds in the charging docks through the sensors. Thecontrol unit can also detect the closing of the cover of the chargingcase through a sensor. For example, a sensor can detect engaging of thehook 140 to the lock member 150. The sensor can be provided in the lockmember 150. The control unit upon sensing the earbuds and the closing ofthe cover can automatically turn on the power supply to the UV LEDs,which can irradiate the inner surface of the charging case including theearbuds. The control unit upon sensing the closing of the cover canautomatically turn on the power supply to the UV LEDs, which canirradiate/sterilize the inner surface of the empty charging case itself.Thus, the user when removes the ear buds from the charging case andclosed the cover, the charging case sterilize its inner volume. The UVLEDs can be strategically placed so that the earbuds can be sterilizeduniformly. The charging docks 130 can also include UV LEDs to enhancethe sterilization. FIG. 1 shows one UV LED in the box body and the otherUV LED on the cover.

The control unit can have a timing circuitry that can be pre-set with aduration. The duration can be the duration for which the UV LEDs must beon. The control unit can turn the UV LEDs on for the pre-set durationand automatically shut them. The duration can be modified or resetlater. The control unit can also detect the opening of the cover, and ifthe cover is opened while the UV LEDs are on, the control unit, forsafety, can turn the UV LEDs off. The control unit can both charge theearbuds and the UV LEDs. The UV LEDs can be turned off after thepredefined duration while the earbuds can continue to be charged.

In one case, both the UV LEDs and the charging circuitry can be poweredby the same battery. The battery can have additional capacity for UVLEDs. The control unit can balance the charging of the earbuds and theLEDs. For example, in case the charge left in the batteries of thedisclosed charging case is less, the control unit can stop the powersupply to the UV LEDs and the earbuds can be charged. Thus, the controlunit can optimize the power plan of the charging case, such aspreference can be given to the charging of the earbuds. Thus, thecharging case can prioritize between the charging and sterilization.Also, when starting to charge, a burst of UV radiation may be need foreffective sterilization, wherein the control unit can prioritize the UVLEDs first to have all the power. Moreover, the user can have an optionto just sterilize the earbuds and not charge. For example, the user maywant to sterilize the already charged earbuds. Also, the control unitmay automatically determine the charging status, and if the chargingstatus is above a predetermined threshold, the control unit can onlyprovide for sterilization.

In one exemplary embodiment, the disclosed charging case 100 also has anoption of deep cycle sanitization. A separate button 160 can be providedon the outer side of the charging case 100, actuation of which causesthe UV LEDs to remain on for more time than normal.

The disclosed charging case further includes one or more charging ports180 for charging other electronic devices, such as a mobile phone. Oneor more charging ports can be integrated into a wall charging case. Thecharging port 180 can also be powered by the charging circuitry of thedisclosed charging case 100.

A battery status indicator 170 can show the battery status as well asindicate the charging of the battery. The indicator 190 can show thestatus of UV lamps. The indicator 190 is off when the UV lamps are off.The indicator 190 can blink showing the warming of the UV lamps. Acontinuous blue indicator can show the normal operation of the UV lamp.While the red indicator can show the deep cycle operation of the UVlamps.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand andappreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents ofthe specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The inventionshould therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment,method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within thescope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A charging case for earbuds comprising: a boxbody having a base, a front wall, and a rear wall defining an innervolume of the box body, top of the box body is open; a cover coupled tothe box body, the cover configured to switch between an open state and aclosed state, one or more charging docks in the box body for mountingone or more earbuds for charging, at least one UV LED in the box bodyand configured to irradiate/sterilize an inner surface of the chargingcase and the one or more earbuds; a sensor for detecting the receivingof the one or more earbuds on the one or more charging docks, the sensoralso configured to detect opening and closing of the cover; and acontrol unit operably coupled to the at least one UV LED, the sensor,and a charging circuitry, the charging circuitry configured to chargethe one or more earbuds, the control unit configured to: receive a firstsignal from the sensor indicating the mounting of the at least oneearbud on the at least one charging dock, receive a second signal fromthe sensor indicating the closing of the cover, upon receiving the firstsignal and the second signal, turn the at least one UV LED on for apredetermined duration.
 2. The charging case according to claim 1,wherein one UV LED is in the box body and one UV LED is on an innersurface of the cover.
 3. The charging case according to claim 1, whereinthe at least one UV LED is in the one or more of the charging docks. 4.The charging case according to claim 1, wherein the at least one UV LEDis configured to generate light in far UV-C region.
 5. The charging caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the charging case further comprises anintegrated rechargeable battery, the at least one UV LED is powered bythe integrated rechargeable battery.
 6. The charging case according toclaim 1, wherein the control unit is also configured to receive a thirdsignal from the sensor, the third signal indicative of opening of thecover, and upon receiving the third signal, while the at least one UVLED is turned on, the control unit turns the at least one UV LED off. 7.The charging case according to claim 1, wherein the charging casefurther comprises a charging port configured for charging an externalelectronic device.
 8. The charging case according to claim 1, whereinthe control unit is further configured to: receive a third signalindicating the removal of at least one earbud of the one or more earbuds, upon receiving the third signal, receive a fourth signalindicating closing of the cover, and upon receiving the fourth signal,turn the at least one UV LED on for the predetermined duration.
 9. Thecharging case according to claim 1, wherein the control unit isconfigured to prioritize between charging and at least one UV LED.